Liquid-jet head, liquid-jet device, and image forming apparatus

Abstract

A liquid-jet head includes nozzles disposed in a predetermined direction and configured to discharge a recording liquid, individual liquid chambers connected to the respective nozzles and configured to supply the recording liquid to the respective nozzles, a common liquid chamber connected to the individual liquid chambers and configured to supply the recording liquid to the individual liquid chambers, an air reservoir space disposed adjacent to the common liquid chamber and configured to retain air, a flexible division wall separating the common liquid chamber from the air reservoir space, a tube unit connected outside the liquid-jet head, a recording liquid supply tube passing through the air reservoir space to divide the air reservoir space into a plurality of spaces and configured to supply the recording liquid to the common chamber, and a connecting unit configured to connect the divided spaces to one another.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A liquid-jet head comprising:
 a plurality of nozzles disposed in a predetermined direction and configured to discharge a recording liquid; 
 a plurality of individual liquid chambers connected to the respective nozzles and configured to supply the recording liquid to the respective nozzles; 
 a common liquid chamber connected to the individual liquid chambers and configured to supply the recording liquid to the individual liquid chambers; 
 an air reservoir space disposed adjacent to the common liquid chamber and configured to retain air; 
 a flexible division wall separating the common liquid chamber from the air reservoir space; 
 a tube unit connected outside the liquid-jet head; 
 a recording liquid supply tube passing through the air reservoir space to divide the air reservoir space into a plurality of spaces and configured to supply the recording liquid to the common chamber; and 
 a connecting unit configured to connect the divided spaces to one another. 
 
     
     
       2. The liquid-jet head as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 the connecting unit is formed of a recess formed such that a diameter of the recording liquid supply tube is reduced. 
 
     
     
       3. The liquid-jet head as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein
 the recording liquid supply tube includes a first tube part connected to the common liquid chamber, and a second tube part connected to the first tube part for forming the recording liquid supply tube, and wherein 
 the recess is formed of a step formed at least in one of the first tube part and the second tube part. 
 
     
     
       4. The liquid-jet head as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 the connecting unit is formed of an interval between an inner wall surface forming the air reservoir space and the recording liquid supply tube. 
 
     
     
       5. The liquid-jet head as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of the recording liquid supply tubes, wherein 
 the connecting unit is formed of at least one of intervals between the recording liquid supply tubes. 
 
     
     
       6. The liquid-jet head as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein
 the recording liquid supply tubes are movable within the air reservoir space. 
 
     
     
       7. The liquid-jet head as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 the recording liquid supply tube includes a first tube part connected to the common liquid chamber, and a second tube part connected to the first tube part for forming the recording liquid supply tube, wherein 
 the second tube part includes a side surface facing an inner wall surface forming the air reservoir space in a state where the recording liquid supply tube is formed, and is directed toward the first tube part in the state where the recording liquid supply tube is formed, and wherein 
 the connecting unit is formed of an interval between the recording liquid supply tube and the side surface. 
 
     
     
       8. A liquid-jet device, comprising:
 the liquid-jet head as claimed in  claim 1 ; and 
 a recording liquid supply unit connected to the recording liquid supply tube and configured to supply a recording liquid to the liquid-jet head. 
 
     
     
       9. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
 one of the liquid-jet head as claimed in  claim 1  and the liquid-jet device as claimed in  claim 8 .